Barn Burner Series

Rob Simpson is a seasoned hockey executive and talent evaluator with nearly two decades of experience in elite player development, scouting, and team operations. He currently serves as Associate General Manager of the London Knights Hockey Club, where he oversees hockey operations, scouting, player development, and organizational strategy. 

Since joining the Knights’ management team, Simpson has played a key role in sustaining one of the most successful franchises in junior hockey. The organization has captured multiple championships, including Memorial Cup titles in 2016 and 2025 and Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championships in 2013, 2016, 2024, and 2025. 

In his role, Simpson leads the London Knights Player Development Program, manages the club’s scouting department, and helps oversees major roster-building processes such as the OHL Priority Selection Draft and the CHL Import Draft. He is responsible for negotiating player agreements, evaluating talent across North America, and directing the franchise’s hockey operations and facility management. 

Beyond his work with the Knights, Simpson contributes to the national program as a Regional Scout with Hockey Canada, where he evaluates high-performance athletes for the Under-17  and assists in identifying Canadian talent competing domestically and internationally.  His career in talent evaluation also includes work with OHL Central Scouting, where he evaluated prospects across Western Ontario and the Alliance region. 

Earlier in his career, Simpson coached AAA hockey with the London Jr. Knights and Elgin Middlesex Chiefs and worked as a power skating instructor, building a strong foundation in player development that continues to shape his management philosophy today.